Foreign Minister Spanta Visits France and Receives UNESCO Award
Foreign Minister Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta met his French counterpart Mr. Philippe Douste Blazy in Paris on December 14. The two ministers discussed the security situation in Afghanistan, and Minister Douste Blazy reiterated France and the international community’s long term commitment to secure, stable, democratic Afghanistan.
Minister Spanta then met with Director General of the United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Mr. Saturnino Munoz Gomes at UNESCO Headquarters. During his visit, Minister Spanta met with senior UNESCO officials to thanks them for the institution’s many contributions to preserving Afghanistan’s cultural heritage. He conveyed his countrymen’s appreciation for the invaluable role UNESCO has played in promoting peace, tolerance and co-existence between different cultures and countries. He encouraged UNESCO to continue their projects in Afghanistan in the fields of education, media, women and archaeology.
In a ceremony following these consultations, Minister Spanta was awarded UNESCO’s 6oth anniversary medal. The medal is in the shape of a spinning top and is inscribed with UNESCO’s 60th anniversary slogan, “Thinking and Building Peace,” and is awarded to individuals who have worked for peace and international cooperation and dialogue. In his remarks, Minister Spanta discussed perspectives on global peace, distinguishing between the advocates of universalism and particularism. “The realities of a globalizing world command us to empower those who believe in humanism and reject the voices of division and separation,” he said.
